Start your journey as a Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer
The CDAIO Program prepares senior leaders to set direction, manage risk, and drive enterprise value from AI and data, without requiring a technical background. Offered through Executive Education in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, it is built for the executives accountable for an organization's AI and data strategy, focusing on AI leadership rather than technical development.
Program Overview
The Costello College of Business’s Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence program, offered in partnership with industry and academic leaders, equips participants to set strategic direction, manage risk, and unlock enterprise value from AI and data as senior organizational leaders.
Next Cohort: February 2027 - May 2027
Delivery: Hybrid; online sessions and in-person sessions at Mason Square (formerly the Arlington Campus)
Cost: $8,500
Contact: execdev@gmu.edu
Program Details
Ideal Candidate
This program is built for current and aspiring Chief Data and AI Officers, Chief Data Officers, Chief AI Officers, and other senior executives, such as VPs and directors of data, analytics, or AI, who are responsible for setting their organization's AI and data direction.
Ideal candidates may come from a business, operations, or functional leadership background rather than a technical one; what matters is that they own the decisions, investments, and accountability for AI and data outcomes in their organization. This program is not designed to develop foundational technical expertise or skills.
Schedule
- In-Person Opening: February 2 - 4, 2027
- Online Sessions: February 9 - March 12, 2027
- Mid-Program In-Person Session: March 17 - 18, 2027
- Online Sessions: March 22 - May 6, 2027
- In-Person Closing: May 11 -12, 2027
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Lead and communicate an enterprise AI and Data strategy and operating model that aligns with business objectives and earns organizational buy-in
- Evaluate AI investments and initiatives using economics and ROI frameworks suited for executive conversations
- Apply governance and risk frameworks to oversee responsible AI adoption, including data protection and privacy considerations
- Translate core Data and AI concepts into useful terms for strategic decision-making
- Assess and guide enterprise data strategy, architecture, and advanced data management practices that underpin AI initiatives
- Anticipate emerging developments, including agentic AI and human-AI teaming, and build organizational readiness for what comes next
- Lead cross-functional teams and stakeholders through AI and data transformation with clarity and confidence
Executive Certificate
This program is delivered as a non-degree, executive certificate. Attendees have the opportunity to add a badge credential from Credly for successful completion of the program to their resume for organizational recognition (internal and external) and to indicate the accomplishment of obtaining a George Mason University credential. In addition to the Credly badge, attendees receive 8.5 CEUs upon successful completion of the program.
“At the Costello College of Business, we recognize that artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming industries—it’s reshaping leadership. Our Chief Data and AI Officer program equips executives to lead responsibly, strategically, and creatively in this new era.”
Ajay Vinzé, Dean, Costello College of Business at George Mason University
Program Curriculum
Governance, Compliance, and Stewardship (Fulfills ECQ 1)
CDAIO as a Leader in the Organization
Be about AI strategy versus just AI tactical tool deployment. Participants will explore the pivotal role of the CDAIO as a leader within the organization. The focus will be on how CDAIOs can strategically guide the integration of Data and AI technologies to drive innovation and enhance organizational performance. Attendees will gain insights into effective leadership strategies for fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, ensuring that AI initiatives align with broader business objectives. Through discussions on best practices and real-world examples, CDAIOs will learn how to navigate the challenges of AI adoption, manage cross-functional teams, and influence decision making processes. This session will empower CDAIOs to position themselves as key drivers of digital transformation and organizational success.
Faculty: Sudhir Menon
AI Risk and Responsible Innovation, Data Protection/Privacy
Identify, categorize, and prioritize AI risks across a comprehensive set of domains, including fairness and bias, data privacy, cybersecurity, system safety, transparency, and accountability.
Faculty: Jesse Kirkpatrick
AI Governance, Economics and ROI Measurement
Explore the financial implications and economic benefits of
integrating artificial intelligence technologies within organizations.
This session emphasizes methodologies for accurately measuring
and assessing the return on investment (ROI) of AI initiatives,
providing insights into cost-effectiveness and strategic value.
Faculty: Saurabh Mishra
Strategy, Innovation, and Enterprise Performance (Fulfills ECQ 2 & 5)
The State of AI in Business
This session provides CDAIO candidates with a current, evidencebased assessment of how AI is transforming business operations. Participants will gain clarity on where enterprise AI adoption actually stands versus market narratives and understand which capabilities are delivering measurable value versus those that remain aspirational.
Faculty: TBD
Advanced Data Management
The focus of this topic is to help you reflect on planning and assessment as key activities of data management. Setting up a data management strategy and plan which includes business-focused metrics for data use and impact of analytics can improve the effectiveness of the data and analytics mission of the organization.
Faculty: Nirup Menon
Business and Process Excellence
Operational processes are designed to deliver exceptional value to customers and clients, both internal and external. However, over time inefficiencies creep in or new technology is created to improve processes. Designing and managing processes involves identifying bottlenecks, using appropriate metrics, and innovating to improve value, while managing variability. Lean management tools help to deliver value while identifying wasted time and activities. In this session, we discuss the role of operational excellence in facilitating change and delivering value.
Faculty: Yannis Bellos
Data Strategy and Architecture
This topic helps Chief Data Officers (CDAOs) and Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) develop a clear roadmap for evolving enterprise data architectures to support both traditional analytics and modern AI capabilities. Designed for senior managers who are integrating AI capabilities into their organizations, the module focuses on understanding how data infrastructure decisions impact data and AI readiness and performance. Participants gain practical knowledge how to align data architecture investments with business priorities while balancing innovation, reliability, and risk.
Faculty: Mike Fleckenstein and Ali Obaidi
LLM & MPC & RAG, Oh My!
The purpose of this topic is to introduce participants to three transformative and related technologies: Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and Multi-Party Computation (MPC). These technologies are redefining how organizations generate, protect, and apply knowledge. The session provides executives with the conceptual foundation and strategic perspective necessary to evaluate opportunities, manage risks, and guide responsible adoption of AI technologies within their enterprises.
Faculty: Kevin Lybarger
Being a Strategic C-Suite Leader
In today’s rapidly evolving environment, C-suite leaders need to go beyond operational execution to think strategically. This session will explore what strategic thinking means and how executives can cultivate it to drive their success.
Faculty: Greg Unruh
Building an Enterprise AI Strategy
This session will provide leaders with a framework for transitioning AI from isolated pilot projects to a scalable, enterprise-wide strategic asset. The session explores the architecture of a modern AI-driven organization.
Faculty: Kumar Mehta
Creativity and Innovation
The goal of this session is to practice using the construct of Appreciative Intelligence® for creativity, new ideas generation, and innovation. Using experiential approaches, you will learn to develop new insights into typical leadership challenges and develop the capacity to question traditional approaches to management respectfully and non-judgmentally. Honoring the applied nature of the program, we will practice tools for developing a creative mindset during the half-day session.
Faculty: Tojo Thatchenkerry
Emerging AI Tech and Future Planning
The purpose of this topic is to introduce participants on innovation, predicting the future, and charting a path in the era of AI. The topic includes areas in Generative AI, advanced human-machine collaboration, and agentic AI, driving advancements in areas like data analysis, content creation, and complex problem-solving. For future planning, on how organizations prepare for increased AI adoption, focus is on the ethical implications of AI, and building infrastructure for compute-intensive workloads. Businesses leverage AI to enhance productivity, foster strategic decision-making, and ensure their operations are scalable and secure in an evolving AI-integrated world.
Faculty: Sudhir Menon
AI and the Future of Business
Description: TBD
Faculty: TBD
Leadership and Organizational Readiness (Fulfills ECQ 3 & 4)
AI Model Understanding and Explainability
This topic provides a comprehensive overview for non-technical professionals to navigate the field of AI, and particularly, in understanding different AI model types and their applications. A core focus will be on distinguishing between black-box and white-box systems and understanding the critical importance of explainability and interpretability for responsible and trustworthy AI adoption. The ultimate goal is to empower leaders to confidently engage in strategic discussions, effectively lead AI development teams, and make informed decisions about AI implementation within their organizations.
Faculty: Aisha Behr
Analytical Decision Making
In this session, participants will explore the essential tools and techniques for making informed, strategic decisions in today’s fastpaced business environment. We will explore how leaders can summarize critical data, predict future outcomes, visualize complex information, and effectively communicate their findings to persuade stakeholders. Participants will also gain insights into handling uncertainty, avoiding cognitive biases, and incorporating ethical considerations into their decision-making processes.
Faculty: Bryan Sullivan
Machine – Learning Essentials
The purpose of this topic is to introduce participants to the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence and data-driven decision making. Participants will develop a working understanding of probability, statistical modeling, and modern AI techniques—equipping them to lead AI initiatives, evaluate AI investments, and communicate effectively with technical teams.
Faculty: Vadim Sokolov
Understanding Organizational Change
Leading Organizational Change and Transition will focus on the unique dynamics of the complex human and behavioral components of the evolving change process in the context of some of our most familiar change strategies. In addition, we will introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic tool for defining your organization’s unique change process.
Faculty: Victoria Grady
Communication Techniques for Dynamic Teams
Dynamic, interactive, and energizing, this session will highlight the tenets of improvisation and deftly tie them to real-world applicability in an extremely entertaining and thought-provoking way. Together we'll experience learning by practicing proactive techniques that bring the people skills needed for collaborative decision making to life.
Cultivating a Positive Organizational Culture
This session will introduce the construct of emotional culture and demonstrate the importance of cultivating a positive emotional culture for employees, teams, divisions, and organizations. We will distinguish among the key emotions impacting culture and describe how individuals and organizations can achieve enhanced employee health and well-being, higher functioning teams, and improved financial performance through engagement in business practices, work relationships, and culture change initiatives aimed at managing the negative effects of emotions and cultivating a positive emotional culture.
Faculty: Mandy O’Neill
Influencing and Negotiation
This is a session on the fundamentals of negotiation and conflict management theory and best practices in organizations. Most individuals have incorrect assumptions about the best ways to manage conflict in organizations and how to negotiate in the most effective way. Further, many people avoid conflict because of preconceived notions about what is going to happen to them and/or inherent fears. The purpose of this session is to both change those incorrect assumptions while getting participants to feel more comfortable in a variety of negotiation / conflict management contexts.
Faculty: Kevin Rockmann
The C-Suite Leader in an Organization
This session will provide insight and perspective from a former Csuite executive about what it takes to transition to the next level. The skills and mental models that got you here may not be the same ones you’ll need to employ for future success. As you ascend to the top of your organization, the stakeholder universe becomes more complex
and the demands placed on you will be even greater. Leading across the enterprise requires a different mindset and a real exercise in selfreflection. Adaptation is key. Together, we’ll address some common misconceptions about C-suite leadership, discuss the importance of it in today’s environment, and examine the types of adjustments that are necessary to be effective in these critical roles.
Speaker: Michael Derrios